Date post: | 22-May-2015 |
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Storm Recovery Following Sandy
Westerly, RI
Beach SAMP
July 24, 2014
Riverine flooding : approx, 150-200 homes affected 25-30 commercial structures affected Ground water table (flooding) 400+ home that we know
of! Power loss 3-6 days in most affected areas “made for very
a soggy situation! Struck the manufacturing district and most densely
populated low lying neighborhood Surge was rapid and flooded National Grid Main Power
Station. Extensive debris was washed into the Pawcatuck River
March 2010 Flood Impacts
March Flood Photos
Storm surge impacted two city blocks or 500 structures
3-4 feet of sand on road for several miles
Unsafe structures and debris throughout impacted area
Primarily secondary homes and seasonal businesses
Sandy Impact to Westerly
Rapid Assessments
Over 500 buildings posted using the Rapid Assessment Form
Many properties in Misquamicut at ground level which is approximately 5-7 feet below base flood elevation.
3-4 feet of sand on the roads
Littered with construction debris
Is it contaminated?
Sand everywhere!
Sand Sand Sand
A Coordinated Effort to Cleanup Misquamicut
North shore of Winnapaug Pond
Unimproved private property owned by Audubon Society and the Westerly Land Trust
79 tons of debris – which matched the amount of debris already picked up from within the residential/commercial areas in Misquamicut
FEMA will reimburse for the tipping fees and equipment usage to haul the debris to the RI Resource Recovery
Long Term Recovery
Immediately after the storm we suspended the issuance of building permits for two weeks.
All electrical permits issued, even if in your own home, had to be pulled by a licensed electrician because we knew electrical components were wet.
Building Permits Suspended
To facilitate the process, we scheduled on-site meetings with RIDEM, CRMC, and the Town to discuss individual properties.
On-Site Meetings
Applicable to renovation, restoration, and/or replacement of structures impacted by Sandy if:
Use remains the same
Building volume is not increased; and
The wastewater flow as measured by RIDEM regulations is not increased
Disaster Recovery Emergency Provisions
Alternate Permitting Procedure
If the conditions listed were met then Development Plan Review will not be required instead:
Town Planner will review the proposed plan and provide recommendations for consideration by the Building Official and Zoning Official in the grant of permits; and
The Town Assessor will review proposed plan to verify pre-existing structure size, etc.
Disaster Recovery Emergency Provisions (cont.)
Conformity to Dimensional Regulations
Where structures are to be renovated, restored, and/or replaced:
Rear, front, and side yard setbacks may be equal to the pre-existing structure to the extent of any nonconformity;
Except for such nonconformity shall conform to rear, front, and side yard setbacks
Disaster Recovery Emergency Provisions (cont)
Provided all conditions met the height of any structure shall not exceed the height provided in the Zoning Ordinance plus up to 3 feet of freeboard.
Expired 18 months after adoption.
Passed January 2013
Disaster Recovery Emergency Provisions (cont)
We liked our idea so much – we wanted to continue it!
Allows for structures to elevate with up to 3 feet of freeboard.
For example, height allowance is 25ft, the structure can go as high as 28ft above BFE if 3ft is freeboard
Freeboard Ordinance
Rebuilding
Mitigation
Grant Opportunities
HMGP
CDBG DR
NROC
NRCS EWP
Global Green
Still Going….
Why Mitigation Matters to Us
4 Federally declared disasters in 4 years
Riverine and coastal
flooding
Climate change and coastal erosion
Opportunity Knocks!!
Amy Grzybowski
Director of Planning, Code Enforcement & Grant Administration / EMA Director
(401) 348-2617
Contact Information